Stages of the 2012 Tour de France

Stage 8, July 8, Belfortto to Porrentruy: 157.5km

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The race's only foray into Switzerland coincides with the Tour peloton's debut ascension of the formidable Col de la Croix, one of five climbs ranging from 7.9km to 3.7km in length that combine to produce a race akin to a semi-Classic. "It's like a Liege-Bastogne-Liege," said Prudhomme. "Obviously it's shorter, but there's a succession of steep little climbs around 3km to 4km long and finishing with a technical descent (of the Col de la Croix) that a rider like (Vincenzo) Nibali, for example, could do well in."